Chapter 16: A New World
The one thing that always made Joseph’s heart race with anxiety was the unnerving sensation of a sudden drop from the ship hovering high above. It began with a slight jerk when the drop pod disconnected from the main ship, followed by an exhilarating freefall towards the surface of a distant planet. However, when the drop pod was launched at an enemy ship, there were often two jolts, if they were fortunate. The first jolt signaled their launch from the main ship, while the second acknowledged the violent impact against the enemy's vessel. If there were more jolts than those, it typically meant they had been struck by enemy fire, resulting in a catastrophic miss of their intended target or death. Yet, on this fateful mission, Joseph found himself aboard a drop pod heading straight for the planet below, anticipating an experience fraught with extreme shaking and turbulence.
As their drop pod tore through the planet's atmosphere, Joseph felt the oppressive heat envelop him, accompanied by the thunderous roar caused by the outer shields battling against the atmospheric pressure. The relentless shaking and rattling of the pod forced each soldier to grip their safety restraints with white knuckles, teeth clenched tightly together, straining not to bite their tongues amidst the chaotic turbulence. It wasn’t until several moments later that the violent tremors subsided, signaling their passage through the upper atmosphere as they steadily descended toward the surface.
His mind drifted back to the briefing before their launch. They had successfully tracked a specific mana signal to this space sector, pinpointing one solitary planet and its precise geographical coordinates. The sheer amount of mana utilized in this area was shockingly traceable. Yet, the planet itself offered little in the way of resources or culture. It was primarily inhabited by two sapient species classified as stage one civilizations. One of these species had barely begun to explore metallurgy or the greater sciences, while the other had attained stage two status, riding the waves of rapid growth and an unprecedented technological boom. This advanced species had recently embarked on creating rudimentary devices that enabled them to exert some measure of control over their environment. Despite their progress, Joseph was relieved to know that they had strict orders to avoid contact with either native species unless their primary target had engaged with one or both of them.
He fervently hoped the target had not made contact, for if they had, it meant that they would likely receive the same ruthless treatment they were preparing to dispense to the being that fled the devastated galaxy. Such was the grim reality for those caught in the Systems’ crosshairs: elimination without mercy. It was standard operating procedure for the Corps—every directive was executed to the letter by those that were System. Failure to comply could lead to catastrophic consequences, and Joseph’s mind shuddered at the thought of what the afterlife might entail.
Suddenly, the drop pod experienced a subtle jerk as the thrusters roared to life, and the mana circuits surged, blazing to life as ambient mana coursed through the systems. These circuits were designed to temper the landing, allowing the drop pod to experience a controlled descent despite its rapid approach to the planet’s surface. Moments later, a heavy jolt signaled their impact with the ground. In an instant, every member of the 328th Eradication Corps unfastened their safety restraints, their commander’s authoritative voice cutting through the tension as he barked orders, urging them to prepare for their swift exit from the drop pod and to establish a secure perimeter around their landing zone.
Joseph didn’t hesitate for even a moment; he swiftly conveyed his own orders to those who were below him in rank, specifically, those individuals acutely attuned to mana, who formed the backbone of his specialized magi-tek corps. Although he had never found joy in leading others, his unique and enhanced capacity to visualize the intricate flows of mana surrounding them, along with the subtle shifts in its currents, had ultimately secured him the esteemed position he now held. If he were to encounter someone with superior skills in leadership, someone who could command the respect and admiration of their peers effortlessly, he would, without a trace of resentment, gladly relinquish the reins to them. Joseph was burdened by the weight of responsibility, especially when it came to the fragility of others' lives; the thought of being accountable for their safety and well-being brought him a deep sense of unease.
As the soldiers emerged from the drop pod, each equipped with sturdy helmets and a resolute determination, they executed their orders with remarkable precision. The communications officer, with swift movements, transmitted a signal to the cruiser that lingered in low orbit, poised and ready above the newly arrived planet. The grunts swiftly positioned themselves, their eyes scanning the unfamiliar terrain with vigilance.
Meanwhile, the magi-tek division busily erected a series of rudimentary devices designed to measure the ambient mana in the vicinity. With expert care, they began deploying a mana field intended to function as a protective barrier against incoming projectiles, whether they were conjured from magic or made of solid matter. Everything unfolded flawlessly, with each member of the squad operating in unison, reminiscent of a well-oiled machine.
Joseph, maintaining a commanding presence, approached one of his soldiers to request an update on their situation.
“Sir! We have pinpointed the mana signal, but there’s something unusual about it, sir,” reported the female Jorvian, her voice tinged with urgency. Her uniform clung tightly to her slender frame, characteristic of her race, the Jorvians, who were known for their slight build and delicate features. They appeared almost fragile, as if the softest breeze could shatter them. Their distinctive look included a smooth, hairless scalp and skin tinged with a faint blue hue, marking them as a species long adapted to the aquatic realm before ascending to the stars. With their expansive eyes, they embodied the traits of an ancient aquatic species that had forsaken their watery home to explore the cosmos. Notably skilled in sensing and manipulating mana, they possessed an innate ability to weave their own magics, independent of magi-tec devices. Their talents made them invaluable to the magi-tec corps.
“Go on, Lt. Quil,” Joseph said, gesturing with his hand for the lieutenant to continue. His commanding presence, usually so strong and unwavering, seemed to soften just a bit in this moment. Joseph believed in nurturing his subordinates, treating them not merely as cogs in a vast machinery of war, but as individuals with their own thoughts and feelings. Yet, deep down, he understood the harsh reality—everyone was replaceable; it was the nature of their profession. This particular mission, however, was even more precarious—it was a one-way trip. If they succeeded, there would be a chance for retrieval, but the uncertainty loomed overhead, oppressive and undeniable.
“Sir, yes sir!” she exclaimed, snapping to attention and saluting sharply. Always eager to prove her worth to those in higher ranks, she understood that many Jorvians struggled with the demands of military life, particularly in the Eradication Corps. A rigid demeanor defined her; she was determined to demonstrate that, despite her fragile constitution, she could validate her existence through prestigious accolades and noteworthy achievements.
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“The signal arrived here, but it no longer exists sir,” she reported a hint of concern in her voice. Deep inside, she suspected foul play. The device was in perfect order, yet whatever had been transported here had inexplicably ceased to transmit its signal. It felt as though this very cliff was the only possible location for its arrival.
Joseph let out a lengthy sigh as he turned away from her, walking toward one of the grunts stationed nearby, who was scanning the vast expanse of woods before them. In the distance, a colossal tree dominated the horizon, its sheer size misleading him about the actual distance. Experience told him that the tree would be several miles away, an arduous trek of at least a week or two on foot. As he glanced over his shoulder, he noticed the formidable craggy rock face of towering mountains. The peaks stood towering and imposing as if daring anyone to underestimate their grandeur and suffer the consequences of their folly.
“Grunt,” Joseph commanded in an authoritative tone, his eyes piercing the dense foliage of the ancient forest before him. “Have you noticed anything unusual? Have you seen anything?”
He resumed his vigil, scanning the vast expanse where giant trees—towering sentinels of nature—rose majestically from the forest floor. Each one seemed to stretch over three hundred feet into the sky, their thick trunks and sprawling branches forming a canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patches on the ground below.
As he stood there, Joseph pondered the fate of this pristine land. Would it one day be stripped bare for its valuable hardwoods? The thought weighed heavily on his mind.
He knew that whenever matters concerning the System arose and new worlds were uncovered, a squad of surveyors would inevitably follow. Their job was to meticulously catalog every potential resource, marking them for extraction to fuel the ever-expanding needs of the mighty Kul’tecka. Joseph couldn’t shake the apprehension that accompanied such industrial greed, fearing the loss of these ancient giants to the relentless march of progress.
"No in yet, M.T. Officer," the grunt replied, his gaze firmly fixed on the distant horizon. "But I can see movement in dem woods, and day don appear to be friendly, sir.” The grunt grunted as he leveled his rifle towards something that darted back behind one of the towering majestic hardwoods. Joseph thought he caught a glimpse of something large and brown.
Uncharted worlds have always evoked a sense of fear and anxiety, filled with the unknown and the unpredictable. Each world presents its own mysteries, with no knowledge of the unique evolutions that have taken place over millennia. What kind of apex predators might inhabit these unfamiliar terrains? What strange and magical beasts could be lurking in the shadows?
He had listened closely to the tales recounted by Corps veterans. They told stories of colossal creatures as large as mountains, capable of launching ship-sized projectiles composed of magma and earth into the void of space. Such attacks could pierce the strongest starship hulls, demonstrating the terrifying power of these natural magical beasts.
One old veteran shared an especially harrowing tale with a younger soldier during his early days. He recounted how one such world was ultimately eradicated by a tier four god following the emergence of one of these horrific creatures. Beyond that, the veteran revealed a shocking truth: this legendary beast had managed to wound the mid-ranked god, a feat that seemed impossible. However, this information was classified. No member of the Kul would dare to entertain the idea that their gods, revered and powerful, could ever be harmed by mere mortals or beasts. The very thought was too dangerous to consider.
Joseph nodded, his brow furrowing as he stepped away from the grunt, immersing himself in a profound state of concentration. He closed his eyes, a practiced calm overtaking him, as he summoned his innate magical abilities, skills that had been meticulously honed through years of rigorous training and discipline. The Eradication Corps had deemed it necessary to enhance his natural mana circuits through intricate surgical procedures, enabling him to transmit mana more swiftly and amplifying his sensitivity to the subtle fluctuations of magical energies in the environment.
As he inhaled deeply, drawing in the ambient mana that flowed around him like a gentle current, his straight mana veins shimmered with a serene blue hue beneath the surface of his skin, almost glowing with the power he was channeling. With a controlled exhale, he released the gathered energy, directing his focus outward to discern any lingering traces that the sophisticated magi-tech devices might have overlooked in their assessments.
Taking a few tentative steps, he felt compelled to follow the faint trail of residual energy that seemed to whisper secrets only to him, an ethereal afterimage that was barely discernible to the naked eye. Kneeling down on the rugged terrain, he beckoned one of the specialized trackers—a seasoned operative familiar with the nuances of tracking physical anomalies—over to his side, urgency in his voice.
“Look at this… It definitely feels like something was here recently and then moved in that direction,” he murmured, his voice low and steady as he pointed to the ground. “Can you check for any physical tracks? I’m not exactly sure how it concealed its mana presence, but we absolutely need to find it if we want to escape this godforsaken rock.” The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of their predicament, as the tracker leaned in to examine the area with focused intensity.
He struggled to recall the name of this particular individual, but based on its slim build, he deduced it was likely another genetically altered Kul’human. “Sir,” he announced, gesturing to his left, “there are tracks leading downwards off the cliff face.” As he spoke, he activated a device that outlined the footprint of a shoe in the soft earth. The System quickly calculated the direction of these tracks, providing additional insight into the mystery at hand.
The commander of the operation approached, keenly observing what his officer and tracker, Mt Officer Farbanks, was doing. He grunted in approval and nodded, his demeanor suggesting a blend of respect and urgency. “Gather a team,” he ordered, his voice steady. “Follow those tracks with extreme prejudice and eliminate any remnants.” In a decisive motion, he reached behind himself and retrieved a canister from his gear.
Joseph’s eyes widened at the sight. He had never encountered anything like it before, and the shock reverberated through him, shaking him to his core.
It was a portable Devour Plague—an ominous device with mana circuits designed for unrestricted use, save for a single kill switch. His eyes traced the intricate circuitry as he read its outlined effects, knowing it would only safeguard the individual in contact with it; everything else would be subject to annihilation. Tales of such devices had circulated among soldiers, but he had hoped with all his heart that the Kul hadn’t developed this technology to such a dangerous level of portability.
“Sir…” Joseph stuttered, his voice betraying his apprehension. “This could end this planet…” Before he could finish, he was cut off by the commander’s authoritative tone.
“You have your orders, Mt Officer Farbanks,” he said, shoving the canister into Joseph’s hands with a forceful thrust before stalking away, leaving a sense of dread hanging in the air.
Deep down, Joseph knew what the System notification would say; he didn’t even need to look at it. With a heavy heart, he pressed the ‘Yes’ button, selecting several soldiers to march toward their doom. He made a conscious effort not to choose any of his acquaintances—anyone he cared about—because the thought of sending them to their deaths was unbearable. Nevertheless, that cursed Jorvian inserted herself into the selection anyway. With a sigh, he hoped that, when the critical moment arrived, he would be able to make the right choice.
With a determined breath, his small group began a brisk trek through the towering redwood forest, tracking one of the six entities that had managed to escape the devastating grasp of the Prismatic Wave Oscillator, their fates intertwined in a perilous dance of survival.